2004 Ford F-150

...was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show. From the looks of it I like how Ford has returned to an "angular" look and dismissed the rounded bar of soap theme prevalent in the current F-150.

The inside looks well conceived and executed, with various themes coming into play depending on which trim level you select. I really like the interior rail system that allows you to add various overhead compartments.

The top of the line engine has been beefed up to 5.4 liters with a 3 valve per cylinder configuration. Power ouput will be 300 hp.

So...what do you think? Will the new F-150 continue to be the best selling vehicle on the planet? What do you like or dislike about the 2004 F-150?

Comments

Ford really did their homework on this one. I love the idea of the rear doors on regular cab models (I would kill for that on my Dodge). I really like the styling (Anyone seen the Titan yet? EW) I've never been a Ford truck fan, but I definately think that the new F150 will be the best selling vehicle on the planet for a while to come!

According to the Ford website, the 2004 F-150 will be on sale this fall. That could mean anywhere from late September to early December!

What gets me...Won't all this advance publicity hurt sales of the existing F-150? Unless you really like the current design, I see a lot of people holding off on purchasing a current F-150 until the new ones are available for testing.

I guess I am the dissenting vote here , I think the exterior styling is derivitive, the engine was one upped a day later by Nissan (DOHC 32 Valve, 10lb-ft more torque), along with other innovations (180 degree articulating hinge rear opening doors, bed side storage compartment). The multiple interiors seem somewhat gimmicky. Speaking of the interior, who designed the console shifter lever?!! Edmund's got it right when they described it as a "joystick", because it looks like one in a whole different context!

just got a new supercrew on 1-02-03 - and was talking w/ sales mgr of a small east texas dealership concerning the new model (04) and its availability - according to our conversation - he said to expect it to be available by mid june - from his experience in 96 when ford last changed styles on trucks - and info from corporate that he would not divulge - he's looking forward to selling at or close to msrp for a while - don't know what that means to him - seeing that w/ the rebates and holdbacks the bottom line is still pretty good for the dealer - but they are willing to dicker now - probably even more the closer to release one gets - got 7K + of msrp - i really want to see one up close and personal - not just photos - hope it doesn't give me the willy's like the first avalanche i was in

The floor shifter is optional and only available on certain trim levels. Not so much "caved in to car owners"...more like offering new options to those that are crossing over from a car to a truck.

That's what I like about the domestic trucks...you literally have dozens of configurations to choose from (cab size, bed size, bed type (Flareside or Styleside), 4x2, 4x4, trim level, bucket seats, bench seats, cloth, leather, vinyl...plus all the available options). You can pretty much build a truck to your specifications.

shifter that has piqued my interest in the F150, since the lady wants a pickup in the next year or so...I do not like column shifts worth a flip, and my two cars both have floor shifters, 2000 Sable and 2000 Intrepid...if only they would eliminate the foot pedal parking brake and go back to the hand lever brake (like my Acura and Honda did), I would really be in hog heaven...

I think the floor shifter option is a great idea. I used to have an 88 Ford Ranger and it had a floor shifter. It only became a slight problem when you had three people in the cab, other than that I liked thal little T handled shifter.

Ford had a 2000 SuperDuty with 4wheel steering at a test site about 3 years ago. I know of someone was invited by Ford to drive it and give feedback.

One reason I opted for the SuperDuty when I bought it is because I very much preferred the exterior look and larger interior space of the SuperDuty over the existing F150's.

I see that in 2004, the F150 has an exterior look much closer to the SuperDuty and a pretty cool looking interior.. If they had that 4 years ago, I would probably would have given the F150 another look.